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Wind Power News: May 2012
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Non-participants, property values addressed in wind farm rules
BELVIDERE – The Boone County Planning, Zoning and Building Committee wants to be certain property values are addressed in regulations governing wind farms. Member Terri Glass chose property rights as her area of study and found property values of non-participant landowners were not part of any county’s rules. While anyone can sue for most anything, she said that takes time and money. What she wanted was language in the ordinance allowing the non-participant property owner and wind farm developer to . . . Complete story »
Conservatives question huge green energy deal between Samsung and Six Nations
TORONTO – The Conservatives raised concerns Thursday about a deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars between Korean giant Samsung and Ontario’s Six Nations to build a huge wind and solar farm near Caledonia, south of Hamilton. The Opposition is worried the green energy project in Haldimand County could be targeted by militant Mohawk warriors who have blocked use of a $100 million hydro transmission corridor in the area for years. The refurbished electricity transmission corridor was completed in 2006 . . . Complete story »
Chesto: Troubled turbine could affect windmill siting
The white windmill stands silent over Rte. 28, a nearly 400-foot tall sentry looming over the main drag into town. The turbine, along with its newer partner, will be seen by thousands of people this summer as they trek to Falmouth and Martha’s Vineyard. And few, if any, will know that this windmill is cursed. Maybe there isn’t a supernatural reason. But how else can you explain all of the windmill’s misadventures? It’s safe to say Falmouth officials didn’t factor . . . Complete story »
Newark resident files complaint with ANR
NEWARK – A Newark resident has filed a complaint with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources over a concern that site work may have already been done to prepare for a proposed test tower for future wind turbines. Vincent Jacob, who lives near Center Pond in Newark, filed the complaint alleging work beyond the scope of logging in the area of Hawk Road and Quarry Road has been performed, citing the name of a local company out of East Haven in . . . Complete story »
Lowell wind site: ANR inspects runoff controls after the storm
LOWELL – A Vermont stormwater specialist spent Wednesday investigating how well the Lowell wind project runoff controls fared during Tuesday’s torrential rainstorm. As of late Wednesday, there was no word about how Green Mountain Power’s systems of ponds and drainage areas held up in the face of rain of three to more than five inches in a few hours. GMP contractors worked during the storm to keep runoff control ditches, ponds and “spreaders” from being overwhelmed with sediment, GMP spokesman Dave . . . Complete story »
Shutdown of noisy machine in Falmouth praised by both sides of wind turbine issue
Both critics and backers of local wind power projects praise the state’s recent decision to shut down a noisy wind turbine in Falmouth, but their reasons are different. Critics say the decision lends credence to their complaints about the effects of sound from turbines. Wind-energy backers, meanwhile, contend that their turbines are different from the atypically noisy Falmouth one. “We’re actually glad the state is doing something about that one machine,” said Brian Kuhn of Associated Wind Developers of Plymouth. . . . Complete story »
Caution backed on wind turbine health link
A National Health and Medical Research Council recommendation for caution when considering wind-farm developments was appropriate pending a thorough investigation of possible adverse effects of turbines on residents, the chairman of a NHMRC review has said. Bruce Armstrong, professor of public health and medical foundation fellow at the University of Sydney, said his reference group would consider a wide range of research including peer-reviewed and “grey” literature. If necessary, he said, the review would recommend an update to the NHMRC’s . . . Complete story »
Greens fight Mojave Desert wind farm
An environmental group, a labor union and neighbors of the project site claim a 10,000-acre wind farm on public land on the western edge of the Mojave Desert will threaten protected species and disturb nearby residents. Ocotillo Express, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pattern Energy Group, wants to build the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility on 10,000 acres of public land 5 miles west of Ocotillo in southeastern California. Ocotillo, population 206, is about 25 miles west of El Centro. The . . . Complete story »
Lawyers debate wind farm proposal; Hearing focuses on threatened species
ROCK FALLS – A public hearing for a wind farm turned into a battle between lawyers Wednesday. The hearing was before the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission. The panel has met five times over the past 2 months on the wind project. Ireland-based Mainstream Renewable Power is proposing nine turbines for far southeastern Whiteside County. The turbines are part of a three-county wind farm, including Lee and Bureau counties. Some Whiteside County residents have objected to Mainstream’s plan for turbines . . . Complete story »
Hammond submits comments on Article X
HAMMOND – Hammond town officials have submitted comments contesting wind regulations outlined in Article X of the 2011 Power NY Act. The town council submitted their comments Friday. Regulations under the Article X energy law could override local planning boards and zoning codes in regards to the placement of wind turbines and farms, said Town Supervisor Ronald W. Bertram. “There were two issues first being home rule… and the other being the lack of sound standards,” said Mr. Bertram. Council . . . Complete story »
